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You’re Youth and the Coconut

Soothe Skin With Coconut Oil

Great skin might be just a coconut away. Virgin coconut oil isn’t just making a comeback in the kitchen, it’s spreading to the skin care aisle, too— and for good reason. Research suggests the tropical tonic, typically extracted from fresh coconuts in a cold press or wet-milling process, may help preserve skin’s youthful appearance and treat a host of pesky skin problems.

Pure, unrefined coconut oil is generally cheaper than a trip to the cosmetics counter (many cost as little as $10 a jar), and offers many of the same age-defying benefits, due to its high level of skin-penetrating antioxidants. These free-radical fighting compounds have been shown to help slow skin aging and reduce the harmful effects of sun damage. Conventional skin care products, made with refined vegetable oils, generally lose a large percentage of their antioxidants in the refining process.

But there’s more to this oil than its antioxidant boost. The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption through the skin and hair, delivering a soft, smooth texture while relieving dryness. And with strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties, research suggests this natural oil may have the potential to help fight conditions like acne, eczema, diaper rash, psoriasis, and fungal infections (fun stuff, we know).

Ready to shake down some coconut oil? Though the substance is gaining popularity as a skincare product, it may still require a special trip to a health food or specialty store. Keep in mind that that coconut oil isn’t for everybody, and some cases of skin and eye irritation have been reported as a result of use. For everyone else, remember that a little coconut oil goes a long way (just a dab is enough to cover the entire face). While it tends to be a little greasy (it’s oil after all), it absorbs fairly quickly, so dot it, smear it, and/or smudge it, but don’t forget to say Mahalo to the coconut.